Adjustable fastening device



Nov. l5, 1932. N. (STATHAM 1,887,826

I ADJUSTABLE FAsTngIuu mavrcl?l A Filed Feb. 14. 1930 2 sheds-sheep' 1INVEN TOR. l

.Y MATToRNEy- Patented Nov. 15, 1932 PATENT Ainfluer.,

NOEL STATHAM, F IRVINGTON-UPON-HUDSON, NEWYORX 'ADJUSTABLE FASTENINGDEVICE- Application led February 14, 1930. Serial No. 428,280.

My present invention relates to adjustable supporting and fasteningdevices, particularly such as are adapted to adjust the length or girthof various articles of wearing apparel, such as belts, garters,Suspenders, and the like, although not necessarily restricted to theseclasses of articles, and aims to devise articles of the generalcharacter specified which are simple in construction, which may beeasily and economically fabricated and assembled and which are highlyefficient and convenient in use for the designated purpose of adjustingthe lengths and girths of various types of articles and which are at thesame time adapt-ed for a wide variety of uses. Other objects andadvantages of the devices of the present invention, particularly asexemplified in the following illustrative embodiments of the same, willin part be pointed out in detail hereinafter and will in part. beobvious to those skilled in the art towhich the present inventionrelates. y

In the accompanying specification I shall describe and in the annexeddrawings show several illustrative embodiments of the present invention.Itis, however, to be clearly understood that my invention is not limitedto the specific embodiments thereof herein shown and described forpurposes of illustration only.

Referring to the drawings, in which I have shown the aforesaidillustrative embodiments of the present invention:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of one of the stop eiementsenteringinto the construction of one of the aforesaid illustrative embodimentsof the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the same;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the supporting tane and assembled stopelements;

Fig. i is a cross sectional view of the top and assembled stop elementstaken along line glgofFig. 3 of the drawings; and Fig! 5 is a top planview ofthe fastening deviceshownin Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawingsassembled on a belt and provided with the adjustable locking meansforming a part of the aforesaid illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the continuous Stop element forming a portionof the second of the aforesaid illustrative embodimentsof the presentinvention;

Fig. '7 is a top plan view of the same with the associated supporting tae member before the stop .element has been attened onto the supportingtape member;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the same with the associated supportingtape member after the stop element has been flattenedonto the supportingtape member;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view-of the continuous stop member inflattened form and the associated tape member taken along line 9 9 ofFig. 8 of the drawings; and

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the fastening device shown in Figs. 8 and9 inclusive of the drawings assembled on a belt and provided with adifferent type of adjustable locking means forming a part of the secondillustrative embodiment of the present nvention. i

Referring now to the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the presentinvention, and with particular reference to the illustrative embodimentof the invention more particularly illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5,inclusive, of the drawings, and limiting the discussion for the timebeing to the stop elements more particularly'illustrated in Figs. 1 and2 of 80- the drawings, each stop element here generally designated byreference character 10 preferably comprises a main connecting portion11'and the hook-like members 12 and 13. The hook-like members 12 and -1385 preferably extend in a different lplane from that of the connectingmember 11 or particularly series of the connecting members 11 when inassembled relation with the supporting tape orother member heldsubstantially flat. In particular, the hook-like members 12 and 13 bothextend below the level of the connecting portion 11 and While thehook-like members 12 and '13 may be substantially parallel to eachother, they preferably extend in opposite directions from the connectingportion 11. The hook-like members 1.2 and 13 preferably provide clampingportions for clamping between them the opposite marginal portions of thesupporting 10 tape or other supporting member which carries a series ofthe stop elements 10, preferably in substantially parallel spacedrelation. It will be noted that the hook-like clamping members 12 and 13are angularly disposed with respect to the web portion 11, 12 and 13indicating the corresponding angles which are formed between theconnecting portion 11 and the respective angularly disposed clampingmembers 12 and 13.

This completes the description of the stop elements which are embodiedin the aforesaid illustrative embodiment of the presentV invention asmore particularly shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings. As thereAillustrated a series of the stop elements 10 is carried by thesupporting tape 20 whichhas first preferably been attached to the maincarrier tape 21 by two lines of stitching 22 and 23, thus defining themarginal portions 24 and 25 to which the stop elements are secured bymeans of the clamping portions 12 and 13. For this purpose, the stopelements 10 are preferably applied to the supporting tape 20 with theclamping portions 12 and 13 receiving the marginal portions 24 and 25,respectively. Initially the clamping portions 12 and 13 are in open orextended position so that they will readily receive the marginalportions 24 and 25 as already described. In the final assembly of thedevice, the clamping portions 12 and 13 are clamped down over themarginal portions 24 and 25, respectively, with the stop 'elements 10and particularly the connecting portions 11 of the same in proper spacedsubstantially parallel position. This operation is rendered possible bythe nature of the material of which the stop elements 10 are made, thismaterial being a metal which will remain in its bent position and willhave the necessary strength to exert the necessary clamping action onthe marginal portions 24 and 25, thus to retain the stop elements 10 inproper spaced position.

The assembled tape, which has here been generally designated byreference character 30 may be of any desired length, and in fact, may bemanufactured continuously by the use of proper machinery for sewing, thetapes together and for manufacturing and applying the stop elements. Inthis condition, the material may be wound in a roll and suitable lengthsmay be cut olf as the same are needed for use. While suitable lengths oftape 30 may be used for many purposes, I have shown the same as appliedin the manufacture of a belt generally designated by reference character21. A suitable length of the tape 20 is sewn onto the outer face of thebelt near one of the ends of the same and a clamping member generallydesignated by reference character 50 is attached to the under face ofthe belt adjacent the remaining end of the same. The arrangement ofparts is such that the row of stop elements 1() and the edges of themarginal portions 24 and 25 will serve to guide the adjustable clampingmember 50 over thestop elements 10. The clamping member 50 may have anysuitable construction, such as the constriwtion shown in my (zo-pendingapplication, Serial No. 233,254, filed October lst. 1927, and entitledAdjustable fastening devices, this device preferably consists of themain body portion 51 carrying the operating portion 52 adapted to engageand disengagc the stop members 11.

This con'iplctcs the description of the aforesaid illustrativeen'ibodiment ofl the present invention. It will be noted that theembodiment is simple in construction and may be easily and convenientlyassembled. The manner of assembling the device will, it is believed,clearly appear from the foregoing description. Likewise. the mode ofoperation will clearly appear from the foregoing dcscription but may bebriefiy summarized as follows: In the movement of the clamping member 50over the stop elements 10 in the direction which will shorten theeffective length of the belt or the circumference of the loop which thebelt will form in its closed position, the locking element of theclamping member 50 will slide freely over the stop elements 10. Anyeffort, however, to increase the effective length of the belt, or inother words, to increase the circumference of the loop which theI beltforms in its closed position, will cause the locking element of theclamping member 50 to bite against one of the stop velements 10, thuseffectively locking the belt. By the manipulation of the locking clementof the clamping member 50, the same may be brought out of lockingengagement with the particular stop element 10 with which the lockingelement has been in engagement. This releases the clamping member 50 andpermits the effective length of the belt to be increased or theeffective circumference of the loop of the belt in closed position to beincreased or the belt to be opened, as desired.

Referring now to the remaining illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention, particularly as illustrated in Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive ofthe drawings, and with particular reference to the continuous stopmember more particularly illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9 and l() ofI thedrawings, the stop element 60, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of thedrawings,

'preferably comprises a substantially continuous element, preferably ofgeneral spiral form, for example, of the type of spiral which would bedeveloped on a cylindrical surface by rotating the cylinder against apoint at a -uniform rate-of axial velocity associated with a uniformfate of angular velocity about the axis of tbe cylinder. Such an elementmay readily be made by winding a wire fed at a uniform rate of speedabout a mandrel rotating at a uniform rate.

However made, the spiral may either be made independently of thesupporting tape and then threaded through the same, in t e manner whichwill shortly be described, or and preferably, is made by threading thesame through the supporting tape at the same time that the spiral isforme thereby combining the two operations of the formation of thespiral and its threading through the supporting tape in one and the sameoperation. As shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, the continuous spiral orequivalent stop member is carried by a supporting tape generallydesignated by reference character and comprising the main web portion 71and the central raisedweb portion 7 2. The web kportion 72 may be astrip of webbing in the form of a tape sewn to the lower portion of themain web portion 71 which is likewise threaded.

After the threading operation exemplified by Figs. 6 and 7 of thedrawings is completed, the spiral or equivalent stop member 60 may beflattened out by the use of any suitable means or apparatus so as toclamp firmly within the turns of the spiral 60, which is now in the formof a flat spiral, the raised webbing portion 72. y

The result will be a construction the detailed form of which is moreclearly illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings. The turns of theflattened spiral will hold securely between them the raised web portion7 It may here be stated that any desired length of this type of elementmay be prepared and that suitable lengths may be cut from the continuousmember for use on belts, '1" garters, knee-bands on knickers,Suspenders,

straps and the like, in the manner already described in detail for theform of the invention illustrated inFigs. 1 to 5 inclusive, of thisapplication.

As more clearly shown in Fig. 10 of' the drawings, a suitable length 8Oof the element constructed as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings maybefattach'ed to one end 81 of al belt or similar device 82 which at itsother end 88 carries a locking member 84 of any suitable type orconstruction. By means of the locking member 84 which carries themanipulating member 85 the position of the locking member 84 along theunits of the strip 8O of stop elements, and thus the girth of the belt,knicker knee-band or strap. or the length of the suspender, garter orequivalent device, may be readily regulated and determined.

This completes the description of the remaining one of the aforesaidillustrative embodiments of the devices of the present invention. Theform of the device just described possesses the same advantages as theform of the device described earlier in this specification but has theadditional advantages that it. is of greater mechanical strength,greater uniformity in construction, assembly and operation, simpler tomanufacture and avoids the necessity of using as many diesl nectingportion, said clamping portions being parallel toeach other butsingularly disposed 'with respect to said connecting portion and lyingin asubstantially diierent plane froln said connecting portion.

2. In an adjustable supporting or fastening device, a stop elementcomprising a main, substantially central, substantially rectilinearconnecting portion and clamping portions associated with said connectingportion, said clamping portions being parallel to each other butangularly disposed with respect to said connecting portion and lying ina sub- `stantially dili'erent plane from said connecting portion.

3. In an adjustable supporting or fastening device, a stop elementcomprising a main, substantially',central connecting portion andclamping portions integral with said connecting portion, said clampingportions being parallel to each other but angularly disposed withrespect to said connecting portion and lying in a substantiallydifferent plane from said connecting portion.

4. In an adjustable supporting or fastening device, a stop elementcomprising a main, substantially central, substantially rectilinearconnecting portion and clamping portions integral with said connectingportion, said clamping portions being parallel to each other butangularly disposed with respect to said connecting portion and lying ina substantially different plane from said connecting portion.

' 5. ln an adjustable supporting or fastening device, a stop elementcomprising a main, substantially central, substantially rectilinearconnecting portion and a clamping portion integral with each end of saidconnecting portion, each of said clamping portions being angularlydisposed with respect to said connecting portion and lying in asubstantially diilerent planefrom said connecting portion, said clampingportions being substantially parallel to each other but pointing insubear connecting portion and a clamping portion associated with eachend of said connecting portion, each of said clamping portions` beingangularly disposed with respect to said connecting portion and lying ina substantially different plane from said connecting portlon, saidclamping portlons belng substantially parallel to each other butpointing,

in substantially opposite directions and lying in substantially the sameplane.

8. In an adjustable supporting or fastening device, a stop elementcon-iprising a main,

substantiallyv central connecting portion and a clamping portionassociated with each end of said connecting portion, each of saidclamping portions being angularly disposed with respect to saidconnecting portion and lying in a substantially different plane fromsaid' connecting portion, said 'clamping portions being substantiallyparallel to each other but rpointing in substantially oppositedirections and lying in substantially the same plane.

9. An adjustable supporting and fastening device comprising, incombination, a supporting tape and a series elements carried by saidsupporting tape, each of said stop elements comprising a main,substantially centrl connecting portion and a clamping portionassociated with each end of said connecting portion, each of saidclamping portions being parallel to each other but angularly disposedwith respect to said connecting portion and lying in a substantiallydifferent plane from said connecting portion in combination with a slidemember adjustably engageable with said stop elements,l said slide memberbeing secured to one end of said supporting tape.

10. An adjustable supporting and fastening device comprising, incombination, a supporting tape and a series ofspaced,`substan tiallyparallelly disposed stop elements carried by said supporting tape, eachof said stop elements comprising a main, substantially central,substantially rectilinear cona stop element comprising a main,4vsubstantially central, substantially rectilin-l Isaidv connecting ofspaced, substantially parallelly disposed stop necting portion and a.clamping portion associated with each end of said connecting portion,each of said clamping portions beiri parallel to each other butangularly disposed with respect to said connecting portion and lying ina substantially different plane from said connecting portion incombination with a slide member adjustably engageable with said stopelements, said slide member being secured to .one end ofsaid supportingtape.

11. An adjustable supporting and fastening device comprising, incombination, a supportlng tape and a serles of spaced, substantiallyparallelly disposed stop elements carried by said supporting tape, eachof said stopelements comprising a main, substantially central,substantially rectilinear connecting portion and a clamping portionassociated with each end of said connecting portion, each of saidclamping portions being angularly disposed with respect to saidconnecting por- 'tion and lying in asubstantially differentv vportionassociated with each end of said conmeeting' portion, each of saidclamping portions being angul'arly disposed with respect to Y portionand lyin in a substantially different plane from said connectingportion, said clamping portions being substantially parallel toeachother but pointing in substantially opposite directions and lyinginsubstantially the same plane.v

In testimony, name to this specification this 7th day of February,1930.v

NOEL STATHAM.

whereof, I have signed my4

